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The Cross: From Hell to Hope

The Cross: From Hell to Hope

I have loved you… Fear not, for I am with you. – Isaiah 43:4-5

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

Crucifixion was ugly and vile, harsh and degrading. And it was the manner by which Jesus chose to die.

He humbled Himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! – Philippians 2:8

A calmer death would have sufficed. A single drop of blood could have redeemed humankind. Shed His blood, silence His breath, still His pulse, but be quick about it.

Did the atonement for sin demand six hours of violence? No, but His triumph over sadism did. Jesus once and for all displayed His authority over savagery. Evil may have her moments, but they will be brief. The master of death could not destroy the Lord of life. Heaven’s best took hell’s worst and turned it into hope. – Fearless

The Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. – 1 Thessalonians 4:16

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. – Revelation 21:4

[Christ] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:3

Excerpted with permission from Fear Not by Max Lucado, copyright Thomas Nelson.

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“Heaven’s best took hell’s worst and turned it into hope.” This remains true today. We have hope despite seemingly hopeless situations in our lives and the world around us. Join the conversation on our blog! We’d love to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily